Triple-valve-lapping machine



March 11, 1930. RICKETTS 1,749,890

I TRIPLE VALVE LAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Shee 1 ATTORNEYS.

March 11, 1930. J. R. RICKETTS TRIPLE VALVE LAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Shee 2 A TTORNEYS.

m INVENTOR. Zmwwfl triple valve.

Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES R. RICKETTS, 0F RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL AIR BRAKE V SERVICE, INll, OF RENO, NEVADA, A CORPORATION OF NEVADA TRIPLE-VALVE-LAPPIN G MACHINE Application filed December 5, 1927. Serial No. 237,959.

This invention relates to machines for lapping the slide valve seats in triple valves.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a generally improved ma chine capable of expeditiously and accurately lapping the slide valve seats in triple valves of various sizes.

In carrying out the invention into practice I provide a revoluble crank, the throw of which is adjustable so that it may operate on triplevalves of different sizes. This crank is operatively' connected through the medium .14

of a connecting mechanism to a lapping tool engageable with the slide valve seat in the This lapping tool 'is so con structed and operated by the crank and intermediate mechanism that an ideal lapping action is obtained.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings,-in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the preferred form of my invention with parts in section to more clearly disclose certain details of construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the lapping tool.

Fig. 3 is a plan viewv of the machine with parts broken away to more clearly disclose the arrangement of the parts.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lapping tool arranged in the slide valve seat, the sides of the latter being indicatedby broken lines.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken centrally through the crank disk.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan of the lapping tool.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying' drawings, 10 indicates a frame adapted to be bolted to a base structure or bench. This frame is formed with a bearing 11 within which a shaft 12 is journaled. At one end of this shaft a crank disk 14 is secured closely adjacent to the bearing. To drive the shaft 12 and the crank disk 14 thereon, the other end of the shaft 12 is fitted with a loose pulley 15 and'a tight pulley 16. These pulleys may be connected by a belt 17 to a vsuitable driving motor (not shown).

tion of the slide and This is particularly The crank disk 14 is formed with a diametrically extending guideway 18 within which a slide 19 is fitted. This slide is of a length agreeing with the diameter of the crank disk 14and is dovetailed into the guideway 18 so that it may be moved radially of the crank wheel but not otherwise.

The slide 19 is formed with a longitudinal slot 20 which extends from the center of the slide to a point short of one end thereof. A clamping bolt 21 is mounted in the crank disk at an eccentric point thereon and projects through the slot 20 in the slide 19. This clamping bolt is fitted with a nut 22, which when loosened permits the slide to be adjusted'radially of the crank disk 14 and when tightened maintainsthe same in a fixed position on the disk 14.

The object in adjusting the slide 19 on the crank disk 14 is to change the distance between a wrist pin 23 carried by the slide and the center of the crank disk. This wrist pin 23, as disclosed in the drawings, extends outwardly from the crank disk 14 at an eccentric point thereon and is connected to one end of a connecting rod 24. By adjusting the posiconsequently the wrist pin 23 on the crank disk 14, the recipro'cable stroke of'the connecting rod 24 is changed. desirable in the present instance as it is intended that the stroke of the connecting rod 24 equal the length of the slide valve seat in a triple valve. As the slide valve seat in triple valves of different sizes are of different lengths, it is essential thatthe stroke of the connecting rod 24 be optional so that the machine may operate efiiciently on valves of different sizes.

The frame 10 includes a lower arm 25 which extends longitudinally of the machine in parallelism with the connecting rod 24. At its forward end this arm 25 slidably receives a socket 26 of a table 27. This table is disposed horizontally and its surface is machined to receive a triple valve and to hold the same with its axial center in parallelism with the plane of the disk 14. To secure the triple valve to the table, the latter is formed with bolt holes in alignment with the tapped openings in the bottom flange of a clamping screw 30 upon which oted. One of the arms of this lever 31 6X-' machine andis con- 'ible lap carrying armv33. 30"

ping tool 3% with the arm33.

the valve, so that the latter may be secured tothe table by bolts. The bottom flange of the valve is also provided with a dowel, which may engage a recess formed in the surface of the table so as to properly align the valve with respect to the crank disk 14.

It will be noticed that the socket 26 of the table'27 isprovided at its bottom with 28 engageable with the arm 25; By loosening this screw 28, the table and the valve may be adjustedalong the arm 25 and that by tightening the screw 28 the table may be rigidly clamped to the arm 25 in proper position relative to the crank disk 14.

A In parallelism ,with the lower arm 25, I provide an upper arm 29 arranged aspaced distance above the lower arm 25 and terminating short of the end thereof. This upper arm 29 slidably receives a crosshead a bell crank lever 31 is pivtends transversely of the nested-at its outer end of the connecting rod the bell crank lever 31 extends longitudinally and forwardlyof the machine and'is rigidly connected to the rearmost end of a flex- At its forward end this arm 33 carries a lapping tool 34:, which is adapted to engage the slide valve seat in the triple valve mounted on the table 27. This lapping tool as'disclosed in Fig. 2 is disk like and formed with a peripheral groove intermediate itstop ,and bottom surfaces. A retaining member 343 is secured to the arm 33 and has downwardly and inwardly bent ends, which project within the roove to prevent disengagement of the lapto the forward end The arm 33 carries a bearing. pin 34, the lower end of which is turned to a .point and projects downwardly within a recess 34 surface.

formed centrally of the lap from itsupper. surface to a'point closely adj acent to its lower This recess 341 also terminates in "apoint so that when' pressure is exerted on the arm 33 the pointed end of the bearing on the lap exactly at its lappingarea of the surface being pin 34? will bear As shown in Fig.4, the working surface of the lapping tool 34: is formed separately from the lapping tool proper. This wearing surface is cupped and pressed on the lower end of the lap. After being pressed, four radial slots are cut in the wearing surface. These slots are for the purpose of re taining the grinding compound utilized and distribute it equally over the surface being lapped.

For the purpose of placing pressure on the lapping tool 3eso thata proper lapping action will be obtained between its surface -sure willbe placed -of the stroke than 'This is necessary 2d. The other arm of j V is'mounted on the table 27 and secured there- *tion of the wrist the length. of valve.

slidetothe crank disk 1 L. then be shifted onto the tight pulley 16 and tween be regulated, it being intended that thepositien of the cam wheel 36 be such that a constant pressure will be exerted on the lapping tool 34: through the medium of the flexible arm 33, which carries the tool.

By making the surface of'the cam which engages on the lap at the ends at the center of the stroke.

the'wheel concave a greater pres' because in most instances the slide valve'seats wheniworn are lower at the center than at the ends, it being necessary when lapping the seat to correct this andinake the seat perfectly flat.

In operation of the devlce thetriple valve to. The socket 26 of the table-is then ad- This may be determinedby ing the lap 34 is inserted 'withinthe, slide valve chamber of the triple valve. The posi-r pin 23 on the crank disk 14:

is then adjusted so that its stroke will equal the slide valve. seat of the triple This also may be determined by identifying calibrations on the d'isk; 1 l. and slide19.

To adjust the position of the wrist pin 23 the nut 22 is loosened from the slide and then adjusted radially ofthe crank disk 14:. When the. wrist pin 23 has been properly positioned the nut 22 is tightened to firmly clamp the The belt 17, may

the motor is started to revolve the crank disk 14 and cause;reciprocation'of the connecting rod 24. This connecting rod 24, through the] mediumofthe crosshead 30,causes recipro- 'cation of the lap carrying arm 33 which reciprocate's the lap 3& along the slide valve seat."

It sh'ouldbe stated that the diameter of the lap 34 is slightly less than the dimension bethe side walls of the seat of the slide 7 valve seat but greater thanthe seat itself.

crank lever 31. f

valve seat and at the forward end of tlie- This is the reason for the provision of the bell 7 It is seen that when the connecting rod moves forwardly toward the triple valve that .due to the provision of stroke the lap will be moved laterally into engagement with the opposite side of the slide valve seat and roll against this side on the return stroke. Thus, due to the provision of the bell crank lever 31, the lateral position of the lap in the slide valve seat is changed at the end of each stroke. This is very desirable as it produces an ideal lapping action.

To place pressure on the lapping tool 34 during its operation, the cam wheel 36 is placed in contact with the cam on the arm 33. As the surface of this cam is concave the greatest amount of pressure will be placed on the lapping tool at the ends of the stroke. This is ofttimes desirable as triple valves usually wear more in the center than at the ends due to the fact that the slide valve stroke is not equal to the entire length of the seat. After the seat has been properly ground the triple valve may be removed from the table.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the present machine is capable of use in connection with triple valves of man sizes-inasmuch as the stroke of the lapping tool is optional and that the triple valve may be easily and quickly centered relative to the crank disk.

I have found in actual practice that a machine embodying the present invention isvery efficient and capable of lapping triple valve seats expeditiously and accurately.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine of the character described comprising a revoluble crank, means for supporting a triple valve in operative position relative to the crank, a lapping tool engageable with the slide valve seat in the triple valve, an operative connection between the crank and the lapping tool for reciprocating the latter over the slide valve seat in contact therewith, and means for shifting the lapping tool laterally in opposite directions at oppo site ends of its stroke.

2. A machine of the character described comprising a revoluble crank, means for supporting a triple valve in operative position relative to the crank, a lapping tool engageable with the slide valve seat in the triple valve, an operative connection between the crank and the lapping tool for reciprocating the latter over the slide valve seat in contact therewith, and means for causing said lapping tool to bear with greater pressure at the ends of its stroke than at the center thereof.

3. A machine of the character described comprising a revoluble crank, means for supporting a triple valve in operative relation to the crank, a revoluble lapping tool engageable with the slide valveseat in the triple valve and adapted to bear on said seat and revolve as it is reciprocated, and an operative connection between said lapping tool and said crank for reciprocating the lapping tool along the slide valve seat.

4. A machine of the character described comprising a crank adapted to be revolved, means for supporting a triple valve in operative relation to the crank, a revoluble lapping tool less in diameter than the distance between the sides of the slide valve seat in the triple valve and adapted to bear on the slide valve seat and revolve as it is reciprocated, an operatii e connection between said lapping tool and the crank for reciprocating the tool along the slide valve seat, and means for causing said lapping tool to bear against opposite sides of the slide valve seat on opposite strokes.

5. A machine of the character described comprising a crank adapted to be revolved, means for'supporting a triple valve in operative relation to the crank, a revoluble lapping'tool less in diameter than the distance between the sides of the slide valve seatin the triple valve and adapted to bear on the slide valve seat and revolve as it is reciprocated, an operative connection between said lapping tool and the crank for reciprocating the tool along the slide valve seat, means for causing said lapping tool to bear against opposite sides of the slide valve seat on 0pposite strokes, and means for causing the lapping tool to bear with pressure on the slide valve seat.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a crank adapted to be revolved, means for supporting a triple valve in operative relation to the crank, a revoluble lapping tool less in diameter than the distance between the sides of the slide valve seat in the triple valve and adapted to bear on the slide valve seat and revolve as it is reciprocated, an operative connection between said lapping tool and the crank for reciprocating the tool along the slide valve seat, means for causing said lapping tool to bear against opposite sides of the slide valve seat on opposite strokes, and means for causing the lapping tool to bear with greater pressure on the slide valve seat at the ends of its stroke than at the center thereof.

7. A machine of the character described comprising a crank adapted to be revolved, means for supporting a triple valve in operative relation to the crank, a lapping tool engageable with the slide valve seat in the triple valve, an operative connection between the crank and the lapping tool for reciproeating the latter in the slide valve seat, and means for causing the lapping tool to bear with greater pressure on the slide valve seat the crank disk, a

at the ends of itsstrokes than at the center 1 thereof. I

8. A machine of the character "described comprising a crank adapted to be revolved, means for supporting a triple valve in operative relation to the crank, a lapping tool engageable with the slide valve seat in the triple valve, an operative connection between the crank and the lapping tool for re- 7 ciprocating the latter in the slide valve seat, and means for causing the lapping tool to bear with greater pressure on the slide valve seat at the ends of its stroke than at the center thereof, the throw of said crank being adjustable whereby valve seat.

9..A machine of the character described 7 comprising a frame, a revoluble crank disk on the frame, a wrist pin mounted on the crank disk, means for adjusting the position of the Wrist pin readily relative to the center of the crank disk, means on the frame for supporting a triple valve, said means being adjustable toward and away from said crank disk, a lapping tool adapted to engage the slide'valve seat in the triple valve, an operative connection between said lapping tool and said wrist pin for reciprocating the lapping tool in the slide valve seat when said disk is revolved. v

10. A machine of the character described comprising a frame, a revoluble crank disk on the frame, a wrist pin mounted on the c crank disk, means for adjusting the position of the wrist pin readily relative to the center of the crank disk, means on the, frame for supporting a triple valve, said means being adjustable toward and away disk, a lapping tool adapted to engage the slide valve seat in the triple valve, an opera- I tive connection between said lapping tool and 7 said wrist pin for reciprocating the lapping tool in the slide valve seat when said disk is revolved, and means for shifting the lapping tool laterally in opposite directions at opposite ends of its stroke.

ll. A machine of the character described comprising a frame, a revoluble crank disk carried by the frame, a wrist pin mounted on on the frame for supportin'g' a triple valve, a revoluble lapping tool less in diameter the the distance between the sides of the slide valve seat and adaptedto bear on the slide valve seat and revolve as it is reciprocated, an operative connection between said lapping tool and said Wrist pin for reciprocating the lapping tool when the wrist pin is revolved by the crank disk,

said connection causing said lapping tool tobear against opposite sides of the slide valve seat upon opposite strokes.

JAMES R. niorriirrs. 1

the stroke of the lap-' ping tool may equal the length of the slide from said crank 1 table adjustably mounted 

